WickedSmaht

Hey folks;

Can someone help enlighten me as to why VAG went with a six-speed DSG in the Golf R/S3 versus an eight, a la M235i?

The A4 is rocking an eight, so they clearly have it in the parts bin. Wouldn't more cogs be better for keeping the car in the power band?

irenesbob

The A4's automatic you mentioned is a traditional torque converter transmission whereas the A3's 6-speed is a dual clutch. Audi also offers a 7 speed dual clutch in some models. I cannot say why they chose the 6-speed for the A3/S3 - beyond bean counting maybe? Or, it could be that the 6-speed fits the transverse engine mounting of the A3/S3, where the "traditional" Audi approach of longitudinal (front to rear) engine placement accepts the 7-speed dual clutch.

eric strauss

... I think you nailed it. The engine configuration dictated that transmission. It is the same package for the S3/VW-R/TTS. It shifts with authority and I love it. The race for more cogs (7, 8, 9, even 11-speed for Ford) is a race for fuel economy. When driving with aggression, these gearboxes often have to drop 3-4 gears to get to the fat part of the powerband - yikes!

The six-speed DCT in the Audi/VW group is a sweetheart. I loved it in the TTS and VW-R when I drove it.

Happy Motoring

Eric

markN1689

You can also optimize the dsg system with this new Stronic APR software: APR DQ250 DSG and S Tronic TCU Upgrade

The DSG box is soo good. IDK but 8 gears might be a little too much

arU4ic

Also not sure that the 7 was available when they were building the A3/S3 in it's current gen. (?)

irenesbob

The 7-speed has been around for a few years. The issue is that it does not fit/mate with the transverse mounted engine of the A3/S3.

TwistedX

I think They chose 6speed because unless you increase the size of the transmission casing, the more "speeds" there is in a given transmission the thinner the cogs have to be in order to fit. Thinner equals weaker usually and giving the high torque of these motors and the cross platform comparability and in an attempt to keep manufactur costs down they stuck with the 6speed

arU4ic

Well, I don't know how, but that sounds right to me.